Cycling Dudes: Wed Oct 8 - Jim Stewart’s Otonabee Ride

16 cyclists met at Jim ’s riverside home for a 9:30 start. Conrad led 5 other cyclists on a trail ride from Beavermeade starting at 10:00. We cycled out to Cty Rd 2 then west to Bensfort Rd, north 200 meters to Storell Rd, west to Cloverdale Line, north on Cloverdale to Base Line & west to Matchett Line thru Stewart Hall. Cycled north on Matchett across Cty Rd 21 (Wallace Pt Rd) to Mahood Rd & east to Cty Rd 21 then south to Cloverdale Rd continuing on Cloverdale across Base Line to Galloway Rd up a long grade with a final steep section before continuing on to Matchett Rd which has a moderate hill climb as you approach Stewart Hall. At this point we split into 2 groups. Jim led a one group east on Base line to Cloverdale & south to Storell Rd cycling east to Bensfort Rd south to Cty Rd 2 & west to Crowley Line returning to the Stewart home after a 28 km ride. Barry led the other group north on Matchett to Mahood, south on Cloverdale to Base Line then east to Crowley Line which has a long hill climb as you approach Cty Rd 2 for a ride of 35 km. After the ride Jim led a tour of the property followed by a gourmet lunch including chicken pot pie, salad, pumpkin pie + a variety of beverages including a vintage wine. During the ride we had ideal weather for cycling but over lunch the wind really picked up so Bob Penny would have had a challenging ride home. Our thanks to Jim for planning the route, leading the ride, then hosting lunch